Honorees highlight community, family

Family and community.

Those were the common themes Wednesday afternoon as the Cincinnatus League of Jay County honored inductees during its Hall of Fame ceremony at the Jay County Fair.

This year’s group of new Hall of Famers, honored for their lifetime of service, featured Florine Golden, Anita Hall, Butch Micheau, Rose Snow, Bob Lyons and Connie Retter.

“These six individuals we are honoring today have strongly contributed to the social capital of Jay County,” said Cincinnatus League of Jay County acting president Drew Houck. “But each of them will tell you they didn’t set out to promote social capital. In fact, the term had not even been coined when they began volunteering. They didn’t set out to win awards. And they also certainly didn’t think they were doing anything special. … They saw a place where they could help and they stepped up. …

“We want to say thank you for all you’ve done for the people in this community and we would like to use you as an example of the wonderful things that can be accomplished by everyday individuals who get involved.”

The Cincinnatus Hall of Fame honors those 65 or older who have made a significant impact volunteering in the Jay County Community.

A lifelong Jay County resident, Hall grew up working in her father’s grocery story, assisted under three Portland mayors and worked at Maitlen Motors. She was a longtime member of the Jay County Hospital Auxiliary and has been involved with Psi Iota Xi sorority since 1950. At 92, she still volunteers for the Asbury Food Giveaway.

Golden, a retired teacher for Jay School Corporation, was honored for her years of volunteering that started when she taught Sunday School and was involved in other activities at the age of 14.

She has also been involved with A Better Life – Brianna’s Hope, Portland Lions Club, Jay County Solid Waste Management District, Trinity Food Pantry and Bryant Alumni Association.

“Dad died at an early age and left Mom with six of us kids,” said Golden when asked about her mentor. “And she managed those six. … All of us are harding-working. All of us are dedicated to our county, our communities.  …

“When the going got rough, my mom never got down. My mom would pick herself back up.”

Cincinnatus League Jay County Hall of Fame for a Lifetime of Services inductees were honored Wednesday afternoon at the Jay County Fair. Pictured, front row from left, are Butch Micheau, Anita Hall and Florine Golden. Back row are Rose Snow, Bob Lyons and Connie Retter. (The Commercial Review/Ray Cooney)

 

Another retired teacher, Lyons, who spent most of his time at the microphone Wednesday talking about the accomplishments of his grandchildren, served 51 years on the Jay County Fair Board as well as decades as the Jay County FFA advisor. He was instrumental in the addition of the FFA greenhouse to the Jay County Junior-Senior High School facility. He also served as a board member for Jay County Development Corporation.

Snow, who for nine years led the annual induction ceremony for the Cincinnatus League, spent 20 years as a member of the Jay County Hospital Auxiliary. She has been a tutor of Kid’s Hope USA, a Cubs Scout leader, an officer in the Plant, Hoe and Hope Garden Club and a volunteer for local blood drives while also being active in various church activities.

“I read somewhere that you get involved because of something you carry in your arms, and it’s our kids, our babies when they’re born,” said Snow. “And that is true, because usually when you get involved it’s because they’re doing something … and someone asked you to volunteer … so you help with that.”

A transplant from Kalamazoo, Michigan, who has lived in Jay County for 55 years, Micheau has been deeply involved with the Gold Wing Motorcycle Club for almost 40 years. He joined American Legion Post 211 in 2016 and has served as commander and as a member of its honor guard.

Retter has lived in Jay County most of her life and is active in the Dunkirk community, including as a current member of the Dunkirk Library Board. She served nine years on city council and has been a board member for Dunkirk Beautification Committee. She has been a member of Sigma Phi Gamma sorority for 43 years and assisted with the creation of the Dunkirk Historical Museum.

She encouraged everyone in attendance to get involved in their community.

“I think everyone needs to do a little volunteering,” Retter said. “Be involved in something in your community. I think it makes you feel like you’re more of a member of that community if you get involved in different things.”